ALLORA'S POV
They think I don't see what's happening.
But I do.
I hear things about Layla and the triplets, the triplets I've desired all my life. Killian. Kaiden. Kieran.
They're resisting her less and less, and I hear their mate bond is getting stronger, even though they try to deny it. My source in the palace tells me everything I need to know. She tells me that Layla is getting closer to them. She tells me the Alphas' walls are slowly breaking and that Layla is getting close to Kieran in particular.
It makes me sick.
Layla. Layla of all people.
An Omega. A servant. Someone who once bowed at my feet, trembling like the broken thing she is. And now she dares to stand beside the triplets like she belongs there?
No. She doesn't get to have them. I do. I won't let this abomination happen.
I've dreamt of being their mate since I was a girl. Since I first heard of them. I'm the one who deserves them. I'm a noble. I'm royalty. They should be with someone like me, not Layla.
We were supposed to be everything.
Layla doesn't deserve them. She never has. That bond? It's a mistake. A cruel joke from the Moon Goddess. One I'm determined to rewrite.
And I will.
Father is sipping wine in the drawing room when I step in. He looks tired but I know better. He's waiting—for me to tell him what's next. He always does.
"I need you to speak to the triplets," I say simply, crossing the room to pour myself a glass "The Alphas of Lunaris"
He lifts a brow. "What for? Last time I checked, they aren't entertaining noble requests. Especially not after—"
"I'm not asking to marry them now," I interrupt smoothly, offering him a smile I've practiced a thousand times. "I just want to visit. I miss the palace. I miss the court. If you go under the guise of alliance-building, they won't refuse you."
He eyes me cautiously. "And they'll let you stay?"
"Of course," I say, circling around behind him and resting a hand on his shoulder. "I'll charm them. Just like always."
Father sighs but nods. "I'll arrange the audience."
Victory tastes like velvet on my tongue.
-
The palace smells the same—clean stone, old books, and the faintest trace of musk from the triplets' presence. The place looks like luxury. I always dreamed of being a queen in a palace, married to a powerful Alpha or better still, Alphas.
And now she walks these halls like she belongs here.
I spot her near the grand staircase. Layla.
She freezes when our eyes meet.
For a moment, her lips part in shock. Her body goes tense. It's subtle but I notice it. I notice everything. Then she lowers her head and bows—bows—like the little servant she used to be.
"Lady Allora" she says softly with a smile
"Hello Layla" I respon
"What are you doing here?" she asks softly,
I smile, tilting my head. "Oh, I'm just accompanying my father on a royal visit. It's been so long since I've seen the palace. Isn't it wonderful to be back?"
Her lips twitch into something polite. "It's… nice to see you again."
"Oh, is it?" I chuckle. "I didn't expect to find you here still. I thought they'd have thrown you out by now. But then again… the world is full of surprises."
I watch the small emotion behind her eyes. She's trying so hard to hold herself together. It's almost cute.
"Have a lovely day, Layla," I say sweetly, brushing past her like she's nothing more than dust.
Kaiden is exactly where I expect him to be—in the war room, hunched over a map with notes and reports scattered like fallen leaves. Always the planner.
I step inside quietly and let the door close behind me.
He glances up, surprised. "Allora?"
I smile. "Sorry to intrude. I just… wanted to say hello."
He nods, looking a bit confused "Hello."
"Kaiden, we've known each other for years," I begin, moving closer with slow, steps. "I care about you. About all of you."
He says nothing. His focus returns to the papers in front of him.
I let out a small sigh. "It's Layla, isn't it? She's… different. I get that. But do you really know what she's doing here?"
Kaiden doesn't look up.
"She's been sneaking around," I say, softer now. "I saw her, you know. East tower. Late at night. With someone I didn't recognize. A man. I've been hearing rumours too "
His hand tightens on the edge of the table. Just slightly.
I press on. "And I overheard her. Asking questions about the past. About things buried for a reason. Don't you think she has an ulterior motive?."
Still nothing. But his jaw clenches.
"I'm only telling you this because I care, Kaiden," I whisper, letting my fingertips brush the edge of the table near his. "You deserve someone who is honest with you."
He doesn't respond, but I don't need him to. His silence is enough. The seed is planted.
Killian is easier. He's always been the one who carries pain like a crown, who drinks to silence the weight of it. He loves women. Everyone knows that.
I find him in the side garden with a bottle in his hand, half-drained. His eyes are fixed on the stars like they're mocking him.
"You've been quiet lately," I say, slipping beside him on the bench "You used to be more…fun"
He grunts in response.
"You know, people think the mate bond is everything," I begin softly. "But sometimes… it's just a leash. A spell. Something cast over you to make you forget who you are."
His gaze sharpens slightly.
"I mean, think about it, Killian. You're Alpha. Born to lead. To protect. But ever since she showed up, you've been unraveling. Drinking. Distracted. Conflicted."
I let the words hang like smoke.
"She's not doing this on purpose," I add quickly, placing a hand over his. "But that's the thing about Omegas like her. They don't know their power. And you? You don't know how much of yourself you're giving away."
Killian swallows hard. He doesn't meet my eyes. But he doesn't pull away either.
Good.
-
Kieran is the hardest.
I find him on the training field, alone. He's training with a dummy, throwing his blade in the air and delivering lethal kicks to the thing/
I approach carefully.
"You haven't changed," I say, standing at the edge of the field. "Still the quiet one."
He doesn't stop. He doesn't even acknowledge me.
"I just wanted to talk," I continue, trying to keep my voice light. "About Layla. I worry about what she's doing to you all. The bond—"
He turns, and his eyes fix on mine. His eyes are cold and unreadable. The look in his eyes makes me flinch a little.
I falter.
"You're all… changing," I say, weaker now. "I just think you should be careful."
He doesn't reply. He simply returns to his training, striking harder, faster.
But as I leave, I feel it. He heard me.
And doubt… has a way of growing in silence.
-
Back at Father's estate, I pour myself a glass of wine.. I let it swirl in my mouth before swallowing.
I lean back in the velvet chair, relishing the quiet.
Soon, everything will be mine.
They'll see Layla for what she truly is—a threat, a mistake. They'll realize that I was the only choice that ever made sense. Noble. Royal. Beautiful. Powerful.
I will be their Queen. I will have their hearts. Their pack. Their world.
And Layla?
She'll be right where she started.
On her knees.